Said the agent for Ferrell Edmunds, the Dolphins` current tight end: ``If Miami gives Ferrell a chance, Keith Jackson will become the highest-paid backup in pro football.``

Trouble at quarter pole: There is unrest in many camps, not all of it because of free agency. Despite two games this weekend between undefeated teams-one in each conference-there is turmoil among defeated teams after a fourth of the season.

``That`s personal with me,`` Shell said of Robiskie`s demotion. ``That`s inside the staff. They can point fingers all they want. Terry has done an outstanding job. That`s all I`m going to say about the situation. He will still be a big part of what we do.``

In 1991, Robiskie was the league`s only African-American coordinator. There are three others this year-Green Bay`s Sherman Lewis (offense) and Ray Rhodes (defense) and Minnesota`s Tony Dungy (defense).

Another mind change: The 1-3 Detroit Lions put their new tight end power offense on the shelf and will return to their four-wide-receiver run-and-shoot 70 percent of the time.

``The best way for us to go the rest of the season is to continue with our four wideout package,`` coach Wayne Fontes said.

Barry Sanders had rushed for 170 yards in his last 60 carries, prompting the move. Somewhere, run-and-shoot guru Mouse Davis is smiling. His theory was a wide-open field helps Sanders more than power formations.

The decision is a blow to offensive coordinator Dan Henning, brought in to incorporate Washington`s one-back attack and provide more blockers for Sanders.

According to Sanders, the Lions were trying to do too much.

``I think it`s better when we stick to one thing. You have to do one or the other,`` Sanders said.

The loss of guards Mike Utley and Eric Andolsek and the use of inexperienced tight ends also foiled Henning`s plans.

How now Browns? Running back James Brooks was one of the most coveted players freed in Plan B. The Browns outbid the Eagles to land him and cut him last week after 13 carries for 38 yards.

``Now I can see why this whole team has problems,`` Brooks said. ``I could understand this if they let me play and found out I didn`t have it anymore.``

Brooks was reunited with ex-Cincinnati coach Sam Wyche when he signed with Tampa Bay Friday.

3-1 isn`t everything: Sometimes it doesn`t matter if you`re 1-3 or 3-1. Denver QB John Elway was asked if the Broncos were the worst 3-1 team in the league. ``Why worry if you`re a bad 3-1 team? Who cares?`` Elway asked back.

``Would you rather be a good 0-4 team? The Raiders are a great 0-4 team. Who cares? We`ll take them one at a time and let them tell us how bad we are.``

``While some freedom of movement after playing out a contract is in order, complete freedom of movement would result in the best franchises acquiring most of the top players,`` Doty wrote. ``Some leveling and balancing rules appear necessary to keep the various teams on a competitive basis, without which public interest in any sports quickly fades.``

By next February, the league is confident it will have either a collective-bargaining agreement or another set of rules (Plan C?) to protect itself from further fallout in the McNeil case.

Cowboys protect: Why is undefeated Dallas a contender? Last year, it allowed 38 sacks, including 11 against Philadelphia.

It enters Monday game against the Eagles allowing a league-low two sacks in 89 pass plays.